Linda Christianson has pleaded not guilty in the stabbing death of Steven Fletcher.
Christianson appeared in court in Great Falls on Thursday to enter her plea.
Fletcher was found dead at his home at 5405 Lower River Road on Sunday, March 5th.
Officers responded to the home for a report of a suicide at about 4:47 p.m.
During the initial stages of the investigation, deputies had reason to believe that the death was not a suicide and deemed the scene and circumstances suspicious.
Christianson’s trial has been set to begin on September 25.
Court documents state:
Christianson’s claim that Fletcher had stabbed himself was not consistent with the blood evidence and the state of the scene. The knife used appeared to have been quickly taken from the kitchen, yet time was taken to place the wood back, blocking the entry into the kitchen.
The nature of the injury and the blood evidence do not support that Fletcher committed suicide. The evidence shows that the knife was clearly placed in Fletcher’s hand after he was deceased.
There was no evidence that anyone was in the residence at the time of death other than Christianson and Fletcher.
Detectives later learned that Fletcher was in the process of leaving Christianson, and that he had recently put in an application for housing for only himself and his children without Christianson.
PREVIOUSLY: Investigation into Steven Fletcher’s death continues
PREVIOUSLY: Fletcher identified as the man who was found dead on Sunday
